Trending post
Apple’s original Vision Pro headset, released with great fanfare last year, was touted to be a revolutionary piece of technology in the world of spatial computing.
Mixing mixed reality with advanced technology, it was dubbed the future of computers with virtual environments to sit inside, next-gen displays, and seamless integration with all aspects of the Apple ecosystem. Yet when the Vision Pro hit the market for $3,500, many continued to wonder how Apple might tackle the next generation of its spatial computing platform. Respected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman shared insights as to the future Vision Pro 2, which he believes will arrive sometime between fall 2025 and spring 2026. That’s reportedly in-line with prior rumors but slightly more conservative than some had looked for.
So, what would be the next generation of Apple Vision Pro? All details are kept tight, but at least some of the trends and clues inside let make predictions of how far would Apple go with its device’s design, performance, and features.
The Future of Mixed Reality According to Apple
Before getting to specifics for the Vision Pro 2, try to get an overview.
Part of the long-term vision of Apple is to develop an increasingly seamless blend between digital and physical worlds, both possibly fueled by immersive technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality. It was the Vision Pro that Apple took its first serious stride into that world while introducing a high-end product at the same time, meant for both consumers and developers; it represented an interest in the rather dramatic extension of mixed reality. At the same time, although the Vision Pro is undoubtedly a top-of-the-line device, such high price, functionality, and maturity level of spatial computing today have made it rather niche.
The product is being targeted as a spatial computer, capable of performing complex tasks such as 3D design, video editing, gaming, and interactive AR/VR experiences. Still, the high price and broad use cases make it hard for some to justify buying it just yet. Vision Pro 2: Enhanced Performance with M5 Chip
The Vision Pro 2 is going to see some excellent upgrades, and for most of us, the biggest upgrade that is most awaited will be the utilisation of the new M5 chip. Apple’s current Vision Pro comes with the M2 chip, brilliant at launch but very quickly out performed by the wanton pace at which new M3 and M4 chips started flooding into other Apple devices.
The addition of the M5 chip to next-generation headsets
Apple’s new Mac lineups come with the new M5 chip, which holds a promise of upgrading processing, graphics, and energy efficiency. Of course, this is going to be one of the most critical areas where the Vision Pro will rely, as spatial computing brings with it such high processing requirements to render vast 3D environments in real-time AR/VR settings and for its high-resolution displays. Importantly, because the M5 chip is launching together with new Apple’s MacBook and desktop hardware, the Vision Pro 2 is similarly matched in terms of processing power to the other cuts of the apple’s parquet.
Second Generation, this time, considerably improved upon the first generation. It felt a bit dated with new chips releasing just weeks after its own launch. The M5 chip should keep the Vision Pro 2 competitive in delivery of requisite horsepower, as it supports applications demanding certain horsepower and delivers smooth, immersive experiences. Design and Display: Evolution, Not Revolution
Internal hardware upgrades in the Vision Pro 2
As Bloomberg reports, the Vision Pro 2 should be rather identical to its predecessor with no stark redesigns announced. This is understandable since Apple’s original Vision Pro design already stands high in appreciation for its top-of-the-line materials constituting a combination of glass, aluminum, and precision-engineered headbands giving the device its premium feel. As such, we will see incremental design evolution. The Vision Pro 2 could look streamlined enough to be lighter, and more comfortable to be worn for longer periods. Apple will most likely enhance the ergonomics of the system to make it more pleasing, particularly in the areas of eyes and head for the wearer to endure the greater durations without any discomfort.
Display: Apple’s Vision Pro 2 will likely feature extremely enhanced high-resolution screens.
The original model itself arrived with 4K displays for every eye, which were really powerful in terms of visual integrity. The Vision Pro 2 from Apple could build on this with even higher pixel densities, better contrast ratios, and possibly energy-efficient display technology, such as microLED. Apple will also continue to develop its wide and ultra-wide display options, now offered with visionOS 2.2, a new update from the company’s view for the Vision Pro. The new update will allow for a more fluid user experience, especially on applications related to virtual workspace and entertainment. Software: Improving the Experience with visionOS 3.0
While hardware upgrade is crucial to the Vision Pro 2, software is going to play equally important roles in making sure this device remains compelling to its users. One of the standout features of the Vision Pro is, certainly its operating system, visionOS specifically designed to serve the spatial computing environment.
Apple has introduced useful features with visionOS 2.2 such as Wide and Ultra-Wide display options** for Mac Virtual Display, which many users like, but since Apple has begun its gradual withdrawal from cheaper headsets, the company will then increasingly rely on software-driven innovations to keep the Vision Pro interesting in the marketplace.
So far, in terms of integrating software and ecosystem, no one beats Apple; visionOS 3.0 will likely push capabilities of the Vision Pro 2 even further.
Some new apps and functionality might also be viewed, specifically designed for the M5 chip as well as new spatial computing features. As of now, some new AR/VR applications from Apple may pop up, with even more immersive gaming and productivity and creative tools. Additionally, with the introduction of spatial computing, visionOS 3.0 will provide new APIs and development tools to encourage app development from third parties. Pricing and Market Strategy: Will the Vision Pro 2 Be More Affordable?
Probably, the biggest question for Vision Pro 2 is pricing. The original Vision Pro, at the cost of $3,500, priced out a lot of would-be owners. While it’s unlikely that Apple is going to take a huge whack off the price of Vision Pro 2, there is an opportunity still to drive availability through financing options or bundles.
Also, canceling its plans for a more affordable, consumerist Vision headset may indicate that Apple wants to perfect its spatial computing strategy in a direction that places more value on software, not so much on hardware. It may skip the budget version and deliver more bang on Vision Pro 2 to justify the high cost.
Future Of Apple Vision: Is Apple Setting Itself Up for a Market Sea-Change?
The Vision Pro 2 will be, no doubt, just as pivotal for Apple as a progenitor in the rewriting of a spatial computing future that will write itself in the sands of time.
The Vision Pro, after all, was the company’s debut into the Vision family and encapsulated everything that would still find its way to popular social acceptance as a radical turnabout in how we’ll soon interact with computers and digital content. However, to be a true success, the Vision Pro 2 will have to overcome some of the limitations that help the original model but might hold it back, such as its extremely high price and niche appeal. This means further fine-tuning of the visionOS platform and building on performance enhancements with the M5 chip, while continuing to offer the best user experience in the world, sets the right foundation for Apple to make the Vision Pro 2 much more mainstream. Two to three years from now will be pivotal as to whether Apple Vision becomes an integral part of the company’s portfolio or stays in a niche position where it only is an acquired taste by early adopters and use cases.
As the future headset is coming out soon between 2025 and 2026, the ambition that Apple has for a fully realized spatial computer ecosystem seems very bright. The Vision Pro 2 might just be the device to stage the act of that sort of mass adoption of spatial computing and bring us closer to the day when immersion technologies become part and parcel of our daily digital life.
Will the Vision Pro 2 fulfill its promises and revolutionize how we interact with technology, or will it fizzle in a still-evolving market? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Apple’s vision for the future is truly exciting, and the Vision Pro 2 may be the product that makes spatial computing mainstream.
